Facebook Watch strikes digital deal with ProSiebenSat.1

Facebook Watch has struck a deal with German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 that will secure a raft of digital-first content for Facebook’s video service.

Facebook Watch will work with ProSiebenSat.1 to bring digital content including pre-shows, after-shows, interviews and spin-offs of the German broadcaster’s content to Watch users.

Facebook said that the deal would cover content around shows such as The Voice of Germany, Germany’s Next Top Model– by Heidi Klum, and Late Night Berlin.

The agreement marks a new direction for Facebook Watch, and could open the way to similar partnerships in Europe and elsewhere, enabling the platform to tap into popular programming with complementary digital-first content.

Facebook, which has also revealed that more than 720 million people monthly and 140 million people daily now spend at least one minute in Watch, said it was partnering with global publishers in entertainment, news and sports to deliver a wide range of content that people want to talk about and form friendships around.

It has similarly announced a deal with the International Cricket Council, which will make match previews, highlights, and insider commentary from every ICC Cricket World Cup match available in Watch.

In Australia, meanwhile, Seven Studios will launch a slate of new original digital series on the platform, while Australian sporting organisations NRL, AFL and Cricket Australia will showcase a range of content spanning match highlights, live original programmes and wrap-ups.

Facebook said it also planned to expand its News in Watch programme internationally later this year.

Facebook Watch is continuing to invest in originals. Forthcoming content including an adaptation of MTV’s The Real World whichpremieres tomorrow in the US, Mexico and Thailand, and new series Human Discoveries, Curse of Akator, The Birchand Limetown.

The video service will also debut content from a programme to collaborate digital publishers announced in March. Content includes Tastemade’s Sundays at Nonna’s,Whistle Sports’ Globetrotter Gauntlet andStudio71’s Fetch Me A Date.

The raft of content announcements comes as Facebook pivots towards towards making Watch more social. The platform is currently testing new sections in the service including a way to find videos that are popular with friends, and a section dedicated to co-watching experiences like Watch Party, premieres, and live videos.

Eun-Kyung Park, chief digital officer entertainment at ProSiebenSat.1 said: “Our cooperation with Facebook is unique in Europe and the starting point for further collaborative opportunities. With specially prepared content, we are consistently introducing our strong TV brands to additional digital worlds and increasing our reach significantly via News Feed.”

Jens-Uwe Bornemann, director of media partnerships Central and Eastern Europe at Facebook said: “We look forward to working even more closely with ProSiebenSat.1 and to introducing some of the best-known German TV successes, which people are already sharing with friends and other fans on our platform daily, to Facebook Watch with all the new interactive possibilities. This will enable us to create even more video experiences around current TV formats. Experiences that focus on people and the community.”